Patti Smith, Yoko Ono, Tilda Swinton and Björk - these were just some of the names that donated clothes to SHOWstudio's 'Bring & Buy' in July 2005. All pieces received were sent with a letter detailing their 'story', drafted by the original owner. Featured in a unique Nick Knight shoot for the October 2005 issue of i-D, these truly one-off garments were then auctioned on eBay in aid of Oxfam

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Viewer Submissions

From stalwart SHOWstudio viewers in Korea, Vancouver and Poland, industry figures including Miuccia Prada, Bernhard Willhelm, Vèronique Branquinho and Walter Van Beirendonck, to international celebrities Tilda Swinton and Björk, you have all been sending us in parcels for the live shoot with i-D magazine for Oxfam on 27, 28 and 29 July 2005. Participate in the parcel opening frenzy, identify the sender and read the story of each garment via these films and submissions forms.

About

Bring & Buy was driven by Nick Knight’s desire to show how clothes could be given value other than that accorded to them by their label and prominence in the pages of fashion magazines. A request was sent out in July 2005 to SHOWstudio’s collaborators and viewers to donate garments that held some special significance for them. It asked that the clothes be accompanied by their story—who they had belonged to, when they had been worn, what special part they had played in the wearer’s life. Submissions were received from viewers worldwide, as well as from well-known international stars such as Patti Smith, Yoko Ono, Tilda Swinton and Björk.

The garments formed the basis of a major fashion shoot for the October 2005 issue of i-D magazine, curated by Nick Knight. Inspired to break down the territorial barriers created by magazines where photographers and stylists are forbidden to work on rival publications, Knight assembled a cast of stylists from magazines such as POP, i-D, Dazed & Confused, Vogue, AnOther magazine and Arena Homme Plus, in order to style actors and fashion models including Erin O’Connor, Naomi Campbell and Karolina Kurkova.

SHOWstudio viewers were witness to the entire trajectory of the project, from the parcel opening to the styling sessions and photoshoots. Viewers were invited to enter into dialogue with the team, sending comments and questions via a live rolling stream. Following the shoot, the garments were auctioned on eBay to raise money for Oxfam.